Yankee Arms Can't Compete with Foes from the North

I just watched Dustin McGowan pitch seven-and-one-third scoreless innings in Toronto against the White Sox.

(Living in Canada, even Western Canada, we are force fed Blue Jays, Blue Jays, Blue Jays. It doesn't matter that Toronto is thousands of miles away and there are several more interesting teams much closer geographically...but I digress.)

McGowan's performance tonight made me really sad as a Yankees fan.

In Toronto he is just another guy in their starting five, nothing special—especially when compared to Roy Halladay.

The Jays are certainly thankful to get yet another magnificent start from the back end of their rotation. They also know, however, that they have four other pitchers scheduled to start the next four games who are just as capable of turning in a performance like this.

Then it will be McGowan's turn again.

This year when the Yankees take the mound it seems like all you can do is brace yourself and just hope that the starter doesn't get the hook before the fifth.

Sure, Chien-Ming Wang is having a great year so far, and Andy Pettitte is still a solid lefty. But compared to the Blue Jays the Yanks' staff looks old, inconsistent, and, above all, extremely hittable.

There are plenty of people calling for JP Ricciardi's head in Toronto, but I'm sure if Brian Cashman could trade his starting five for the starting five in TO, he'd jump at the chance.